Hercules Playing With Another Dog

As I said in a prior post, Hercules has surprised us by being able to enjoy the company of some other dogs. I think it is fair to say that the environmental stress of the kennel was a huge factor in his deterioration at the shelter. I hope someone will give him a chance at a home now that it looks he could live with another dog.

It has been said before and I will say it, dogs change over the course of their lives. They can, with guidance, improve their ability to get along with other dogs.

Black is Beautiful

Who wouldn't think that this dog is cute? And what does she have in common with Andrea, Chrome, Cody, Ranger, Lady, Fluffy/Scruffy, and Oliver, Lucky, Shadow, Amelia and Oliver? All of them are dogs that have been overlooked by many of the potential adopters passing through our kennels. The above dog, Gypsy, is our longest term dog and has been with us for over a year. What do Gypsy, Andrea, Chrome, Cody, Ranger, Lady, Fluffy/Scruffy, and Oliver, Lucky, Shadow, and Oliver have in common? Either black or dark coats. Black dogs are the most over-looked of the millions of dogs in shelters. It is such a problem that it has its own name: Black Dog Syndrome.

People may consider them too “plain”, think they are menacing, or simply don’t notice them because their dark color makes them disappear in their kennels. It is harder to get good photos of black dogs, even with good backgrounds, so they are the leasy likely to be noted on shelter's websites. People are looking for a face to fall in love with and the black dogs don't stand out.

Since black dogs are the least likely to be adopted and therefore the most likely to be euthanized, they die in large numbers in most shelters. What happens at our shelter is we have a high number of black dogs since we don't have a set time-period for holding dogs. Two of three of our longest-term dogs are black. Only two of the ten longest-term dogs are light-colored: Giselle and Hercules.

People discriminate against black dogs without even realizing it. Please take a second look at the beautiful black dogs and take them outside into the sunshine. Interact with these dogs before you decide which dog is right for you. Choosing a dog by its personality and not through an unconscious preference for color is the smart thing to do. We think black is beautiful and if you take a closer look you will too.

Eta: Somebody decided that black looks good in their life! I just heard that Andrea has left the shelter!!!!!!! One less black dog to worry over for us worriers.

The green grass will soon be gone but these dogs are still with us.


Andrea, our black sweet girl, is the third longest term dog at the shelter. Petey got into trouble with the landlord and had to come stay with us until a new owner arrives. He was having a great time playing at this play group on a Sunday afternoon.








Andrea was still enjoying the ice a month ago when we had this play group. None of the dogs wants ice now that it is falling from the sky.








Amelia, who has blue eyes, got into a bouncing session with Hugh. Amelia is still with us also. She's darling and playful. Sometimes I just wish we could dye or bleach the dogs. We have so many black dogs because people adopt them at lower numbers than the light-colored dogs.


Isn't that weird? But it is scientifically proven.





In the below photo you can see Amelia's beauty even better. She's only 8 months old and a complete charmer. However, she is always looking for The Great Escape!



Brass, Brass, Brass, what a dirty boy you are! But what a sweetie and so good with other dogs. With that squishy face that you want to take and smush between your fingers... Some dog faces were meant for loving fingers to smush.













Loki, Brass' play mate in this photo, is a dog with a sense of fun.


















Briggs, on the left, went to the Carroll College Human-Animal Bond Program. Loki misses him!










Please come see Loki, Brass, Amelia, Andrea, Petey. They are great dogs looking for a home!

Thanks to Debi for the great photos!